Tamil youth won’t put with up NDA’s Lanka approach: Vaiko

Chennai: MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre for playing with the lives of Indian fishermen.

“The BJP government’s UPA-like approach towards Sri Lanka had emboldened Colombo to treat them (Tamil Nadu fishermen) with disdain,” Vaiko said.

“I ask the Modi government...why are you continuing defence ties with Sri Lanka even after this? The lives of Tamil Nadu fishermen should not be taken lightly. If the NDA follows the UPA policy on Sri Lanka, the Tamil youth will not tolerate that,” MDMK leader told reporters after spearheading a protest here against the death sentence awarded to five Indian fishermen by a Sri Lankan court for alleged drug-trafficking last week.

Criticising the Centre on its continuing ties with the island nation, from inviting its President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Modi’s swearing-in to the strengthening of defence exchanges, Vaiko said despite these, Chinese naval ships had recently berthed in Sri Lankan waters, which he said was a direct threat to  Tamil Nadu.

“Such an approach by the Narendra Modi government towards Sri Lanka was the reason for the five fishermen from Tamil Nadu being awarded death penalty as Rajapaksa controlled his country’s judiciary,” he said, warning that the Central government may have to face the consequences of such an approach towards Sri Lanka.